She also makes lockets, including "Hope Street," named after the well-trodden East Side roadway, and "Van Gogh's Room," a one-window house inspired by the painter's Room at Arles.

After graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1991, Herreid set off on her own. The first five years or so were tough. Eventually, she found a sales representative to market the jewelry, freeing her up to spend more time in her studio.

Her hard work paid off. Her line, Individual Icons, is available in galleries and shops in this country and abroad. "Why have more stuff?" says Herreid, 41, who lives with her husband and two-year-old son in Warren. "Why not have just one or two good things?"

Her jewelry is at the risd|works store in Providence and at Muse, a shop in Warren.

JULIA GOLD

With a college degree and no full-time job on the horizon, Julia Gold turned to crafting. She ripped up old T-shirts and fabric and turned them into tube-like scarves befitting an Egyptian goddess gone green.

Word got out, and now jujuknits — priced at $42 — are one of this year's hottest items at Craftland.

Gold was surrounded by crafts as a kid in Northampton, Massachusetts, thanks to her mother, a painter, ceramicist, and peace activist. "As a kid, I'd always make clothes for myself," says Gold. "I'd paint my dresser or make a pillow."

Gold sold hundreds of scarves last year and hopes to sell at least 200 this holiday season. All her materials are recycled, even the price tags, assembled out of old, cut-up shipping envelopes.

"This all really just started as a hobby, something fun to keep me busy," says Gold, 26, who lives with her husband in Providence's Monohasset Mill, an artists' community. "It's been really nice. This is a great way for me to have a creative outlet and make a little supplemental income too."

Eight months ago, she landed a full-time job as director of the Green Center at Bristol Community College in Massachusetts. Her fan club can rest easy. Production of jujuknits continues — after hours.

WHERE TO GO

The FOUNDRY SHOW features fine art, craft, and gifts from more than 75 local artists. Takes place at the Pawtucket Armory, 172 Exchange Street, Pawtucket. Hours are December 10 from noon to 8 pm; December 11 from 10 am to 8 pm; and December 12 from 10 am to 6 pm. Free parking and admission. For details: foundryshow.com.

CRAFTLAND offers handmade and affordable art and craft from 200 artists. Shop is at 235 Westminster Street in Providence. Hours: daily from 10 am to 6 pm, and until 8 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays. For details: craftlandshow.com.

RHODY CRAFT 100 is a self-described "seasonal pop-up shop" that sells locally handmade art and craft. Located in Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket. Hours: Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm and Wednesdays from 4 to 7 pm. For details: rhodycraft100.com.

GRANOLA WITH A CONSCIENCE | November 24, 2010 With all those honey-flavored oats and nuts, granola is tempting enough for Rhode Island's neo-hippie set. But add a scoop of goodwill to the mix and you invite a veritable stampede of Birkenstocks.